Department of Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano plans to end domestic law enforcement’s access to spy satellites, a government source told the Associated Press on Monday night.
Funding for the program, announced by the Bush administration in 2007, was included in President Barack Obama’s 2010 budget.
"Napolitano recently reached her decision after the program was discussed with law enforcement officials , and she was told it was not an urgent issue, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk about it," the wire service reported.
Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) told AP that deciding to end the program "shows real leadership" by the new Homeland Security secretary. Rep. Peter King (R-NY), who sits on the House Homeland Security Committee, called the move a "mistake" and a "step back in the war on terror."
